Rule of the Week

Rule of the Week (2/1/97)

"What happens when your break a string?"

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Every week TennisONE will respond to a frequently asked question about the rules of tennis.

Rule of the Week Question

In the Australian Open the announcers said that during the serve sequence, when the receiver of the first ball breaks a string, the point is played over starting with the first serve. Also, if the server breaks a string and the ball goes in, the point is played out. If the serve is out, the server can change racquets and have a second serve. Could you comment on these rules. Thanks

Answer

We think our announcers have it about right. Let's go through this step by step:

• If the receiver breaks a string on a first serve fault, he can change racquets and the server gets two serves.
• If the server breaks a string on a first serve fault, he could change racquets and have a second serve only.
• If either player breaks a string while the ball is in play (including a good serve), play continues until the point is over.
• Under the ATP rules, a player cannot play with a broken string (after completing the point in which the string broke).
• Under USTA rules, a player can continue to play subsequent points with a broken string if he or she chooses.

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